Real Estate Market

The local real estate market is buzzing with activity. Spring is in the air. Right now is one of the busiest times for home sales. This year the tax credits for first-time home buyers ($8,000) and repeat buyers ($6,500) have brought out buyers intending to sign purchase contracts by April 30, 2010. Also, affordably low interest rates have increased buying power. That's why well-positioned properties are moving quickly.

If you've been waiting to put your home on the market, or are thinking about selling, now is the time. In this market, to bring serious buyers into your home, you need to be prepared. Here are some key points to remember if you want to take advantage of today's housing market.

Buyers Know Price
There is no beating around the bush. Buyers are savvy and know the price points in our local market. If your home is in the buyer's price range -- and priced correctly for its location, amenities and condition -- your home will attract attention. If it's not priced right, buyers will notice immediately and move on. Additionally, not pricing correctly could help sell your home's competition faster. Rely on us, your real estate professionals, to help you arrive at the optimum price that will get your home sold quickly for the best price.

Move-In Condition
Stage your home to look magazine-perfect and your home will draw buyers in. Take the time to declutter, organize and tastefully set up each room. Comparison shoppers will reward you with interest and offers. Your hard work also will be on display in online photos that entice buyers to drop their mouse and take an in-person look at your home. A well-maintained home will showcase itself in online property sites and will help us get it sold.

Flexibility
First-time buyers often have few constraints on their offer, because they don't have a home to sell. Be flexible to allow any serious buyer to settle/close on your home earlier or later than you anticipated, if the right offer comes up. Your flexibility could mean the difference between a sale and no sale. We will help you negotiate the best terms to keep your buyer interested.

Extra Incentive
You've got the right price, your home is in great condition and staged to sell. You've got the flexibility to accept pretty much any move-in date. Now what? If there is a buyer who has visited two times, but hasn't made an offer, one innovative strategy is to consider approaching the buyer with a reverse offer -- an offer to buy your property that originates from you, the seller. The technique can get negotiations and counteroffers started in the right situation. In this case, you may want to throw in a sweetener such as the swing set in the backyard or the patio furniture.

Maybe you have another item of value that you don't want to move that could help sway the buyer to purchase your home. If you don't want to give an item, perhaps you can offer a specific amount to be credited at closing without lowering the selling price. Consult with us for the best strategy to win over a buyer for your home.


Check Your Credit Reports
You are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the major credit reporting companies -- Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. To request your reports, go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call (877) 322-8228.

Timing Is Everything

Your friends, neighbors and relatives may be thinking about buying or selling a home in today's market. And they may be looking for accurate, up-to-the-minute answers to their questions. We hope you'll pass this newsletter on to them after you've finished reading it. They'll appreciate the information and, as always, we'll appreciate your referral!

Spring Forward!

No matter what time of year, there are many good opportunities to buy or sell your home. Springtime is one of the best times for real estate -- a larger number of homes go up for sale in spring and a larger number of buyers are out trying to find their perfect home. Buying or selling, give us a call whenever you are ready to make a move. We're happy to discuss your real estate needs and assist you in any way. 

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Welcome to my one-of-a-kind Highlands County, Florida Real Estate Market Snapshot Imagine receiving up-to-the minute MLS graphical reports automatically delivered to your email box with updated real estate information on your area. As well, it keeps you up-to-date on the major questions every home seller has in today's market.

Buyers who purchase a Fannie Mae-owned home by April 30, 2010 can take advantage of a new incentive to help cover closing costs, the purchase of Whirlpool® appliances or a combination of closing costs and appliances, as decided by the buyer. (Individual lenders, however, may impose limits on how the incentive is used.) The incentive is worth up to 3.5% of the home's final sale price.

To qualify for the incentive:

• Your purchase offer must be accepted on or after January 28, 2010.
• The contract must go to closing/settlement before May 1, 2010. 
• The home must be purchased as a principal residence. (Investors do not qualify.)

To find properties owned by Fannie Mae, go online to www.HomePath.com.

Support for NSP Program
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding through local housing authorities and non-profit housing organizations to help individuals purchase local properties. In support of the NSP, Fannie Mae provides some concessions to buyers who purchase Fannie Mae homes using NSP funds, including:

• Waiver of 5% earnest money/deposit requirement; deposits may be as low as $500.
  
  
• When Fannie Mae receives an acceptable offer from a buyer, the buyer may renegotiate the offer after getting an NSP-required appraisal.
  
  
• Buyers have up to 45 days to close/settle the purchase, an increase from the 30 days normally allowed for Fannie Mae home purchases to close/settle.

To find out more about NSP programs in your area, go online to www.TinyURL.com/acuw5b.

First Look
Fannie Mae's First Look initiative allows owner-occupants and buyers who use public funds to get a first chance at buying Fannie Mae-owned homes. During the first 15 days a Fannie Mae home is listed with the local multiple listing service, Fannie Mae will only consider offers from owner-occupants and buyers using public funds. Investors may submit offers for homes that remain for sale after the initial 15-day listing period.

Maureen is always looking to the future of real estate and how she can assist her clients with their real estate needs even in the market we are currently in. Maureen has continued her education in order to assist homeowners who are facing difficult issues and decisions when it comes to their home.

The Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation (CDPE) is an indication that Maureen has taken the initiative to become an educated and prepared advocate on the behalf of a homeowner in distress.

Call or email Maureen today to know what your option are.

For the uninformed, blogging is hitting the Internet today and making a real impact!

What is a blog? An easy explanation of this is a WEB LOG or a journal on the web. It’s a place where folks can “voice” their thoughts, share ideas, or comment on those of others.

Highlands County Florida now has such a blog where new items of interest will be posted and comments can be made. Topics range from those related to real estate and community highlights to local events of interest or anything personal or business related that might be perceived as worthwhile information for public knowledge, discussion and/or use.

It’s even possible to subscribe to a blog of interest and receive text updates on your iPod! Check out the latest updates for the Highlands County Real Estate Blog:

http://www.thecoolteam.com/Blog

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